Diamond Bar Cub Scouts Work on Burrowing Owl Project

Around 25 Cub Scouts from Diamond Bar went to work recently to build underground dens for burrowing owls at the El Sobrante Wildlife Preserve.
The boys visited the Corona preserve March 2 to learn about the burrowing owls, conservation, and green practices.  Waste Management of Southern California hosted the event.
El Sobrante Wildlife Preserve features more than 650 acres of protected open space adjacent to Waste Management's landfill. The staff at the preserve team up with other conservation land managers to protect many of the animal and plant species there, including the burrowing owl, officials said in a news release.
A joint effort is underway to increase the burrowing owl's population to at least five at the wildlife preserve.  The burrowing owl once was common in Riverside County but its numbers are declining rapidly because of environmental factors, officials said. The owls live in open grasslands and nest in underground burrows dug out by other animals such as ground squirrels. A sighting is rare.
“We organize conservation projects on our wildlife preserve so youths can uncover the importance of protecting the environment and its species,” said Miriam Cardenas, El Sobrante Landfill community relations representative. “As an added bonus, we are always thrilled to offer these educational activities to youth groups in cities where Waste Management does business.”
Other species living at the preserve include the coastal California gnatcatcher and the Stephens' kangaroo rat.
Waste Management's El Sobrante Landfill and Wildlife Preserve began offering outdoor education programs to students, scouts, and community groups in 2000.